The Australian NBL announced their “Next Stars” initiative in a plan to persuade top high school players to look at the league as a professional option.
The program was announced after the Oklahoma City Thunder had drafted Terrance Ferguson in 2017 after playing a season with the Adelaide 36ers. The program has really started to kick off for this upcoming NBL season, with three potential draftees and now Marcos “Didi” Louzada Silva taking Next Stars roster spots for the 2019-20 season.
Louzada is a new wrinkle to the rule, and while it was previously going to be used for prospects as an alternative to the NCAA or other pro options, it has now opened as a new possibility for “draft-and-stash” players. Louzada, who is a member of Brazil’s national team and played for Franca Basquetbol Club of the NBB, will also receive English tutoring and have an out clause for the NBA next summer.
Last season, the Sydney Kings used the extra roster spot designated for the program on Brian Bowen II, who had issues with his NCAA eligibility and became a solid role player in the NBL. Bowen went undrafted, though he signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers shortly after the draft. The hopes are similarly high for Louzada Silva, who was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 35th pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
In an article by Olgun Uluc of Fox Sports Australia, “Didi is a young, athletic wing that we believe can be a force in this league,” Kings CEO, Chris Pongrass said. “Finding a long, efficient scorer who can shoot the ball like Didi can, is very rare. We are excited to be welcoming him to Sydney and look forward to him getting to work.”
During the Nike Hoop Summit, Didi impressed with his shooting, defensive awareness in the passing lanes and his ability to play without the ball. He is not the most physically imposing player, though possesses some wiry strength and some decent athleticism. The Pelicans must have been impressed and Didi showed some strong flashes during his Summer League debut with the team.
The Next Stars program will also feature three potential 2020 NBA draftees. R.J. Hampton got the ball rolling with his ESPN announcement that he was joining the New Zealand Breakers. Soon after, LaMelo Ball signed with the Illawarra Hawks and more recently, Terry Armstrong decided to bypass his commitment to the University of Arizona to play for the South East Melbourne Phoenix in their inaugural NBL season. Hampton and Ball are possible lottery selections as big point guards heading into next year, with Armstrong also receiving some NBA buzz as a scoring wing.
With Louzada, it seems like the NBL is expanding on a rule that is truly starting to pay dividends. This definitely will have more scouts and executives flying to Australia and should increase fan interest in having these potential draftees.
The fact that they are taking steps towards preparing an international player born outside the USA and Australia seems to be a new added wrinkle for the Next Stars program and gives the NBL another option in developing some young talent who will one day play in the NBA.
